Fix a fin tool

ABSTRACT

A tool for straightening bent and deformed fins of heat exchangers of a type illustrated by heat exchangers used as condensers and evaporators in air conditioners.

United States Patent Baldwin July 1, 1975 [5 FIX A N TOOL 2,9l2,888 ll/1959 Webb 72/478 X 3,04l,900 7/1962 W 1 72/457 1 lflvemori 9 M. Baum", 9 3,531,975 10/1970 La ni li f 72/473 x whltesburg Dr., Huntsville, Ala. 35802 Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham [22] Filed 1973 Assistant Examiner-D. M. Gurley [2i] Appl. No.: 404,014

52 11.5. C1. 72/478; 29/401; 72/479 AB TRAC [51] Int. Cl B2ld 1/10 Search I 1 I I. A tool for straightening bent and deformed fins Of 1 6 8 l heat exchangers of a type illustrated by heat exchangers used as condensers and evaporators in air condi- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1890 Groves .1 72/478 X 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures FIX A FIN TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fin-type heat exchangers are widely used, particularly in heat exchangers used as evaporators and condensers in air conditioning systems as well as in a wide range of equipment including refrigerators and various types of heaters and automobile radiators. The fins are used on the exchangers to increase the effective area of the heat transfer surfaces. The thickness of a fin is typi cally quite small and as a result, the fins are quite fragile and are very frequently deformed. The deformation results in decreasing the air space between adjacent fins and thus the passage of air through the heat exchanger. This, in turn, reduces the efficiency of the heat exchanger and the effectiveness of it. In extreme cases, the effective heat exchange may be reduced to a point where damage to a system employing the heat exchanger may occur. Recognizing this problem a number of devices have appeared, either actually marketed or described in the literature. In general, they include means for inserting side-by-side spaced blades between several adjoining fins and by movement of the device, a combing action is produced which will restore the fins to a near parallel condition. A problem with such devices, which it appears has probably prevented their widespread sale and use, has been the fin spacing of heat exchangers vary significantly between heat exchangers. Thus, a tool with spaced blades adapted to work between fins of one heat exchanger may not work between fins of another. Thus, if a repair shop owned only a single such tool, its use was limited. Further, even if several different sized tools were available, it would be awkward to have to try out several to see which one would work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tool for straightening fins of heat exchangers which may be employed with fins of various fin spacings.

In accordance with the invention, a fin straightener is constructed with a plurality of blades, each lying in separate parallel planes but each blade trailing each other blade. Thus, by rotation of the handle to which the blades are attached, an effective variation in blade spacing can be accommodated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a pictoral view of a preferred embodiment of the invention as used with narrow-spaced fins.

FIG. 2 is a pictoral view illustrating use of the device shown in FIG. 1 with wide-spaced fins.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, initially to FIG. 1, spaced blades or teeth (typically of steel) are mounted or are embedded, as shown, on a mounting base 11 in end 12 of an elongated handle grip mount 14, mount 14 being constructed of wood, metal or of a plastic material. Each blade is essentially rectangular in cross section with rounded leading and trailing edges and with a long dimension lying in a parallel plane to that of the other blades. The blades are arranged in a staggered or trailing formation with each blade occupying a discrete column-row location. Thus, for example, blade 16 may be regarded as in a first column and first row, blade 18 being in a second column and second row, blade 20 in a third column and third row and blade 22 in a fourth column and fourth row. Use with narrow spaced fins 24, with blades 10 essentially parallel to fin surface, is illustrated. To straighten fins, the tool is moved as shown by arrow 26.

FIG. 2 illustrates employment of the tool with wider spaced fins 28. In this instance, the tool is rotated, as shown, to increase the effective spacing of blades with respect to fins 28. Straightening is otherwise accomplished in the same manner by moving the tool as shown by arrow 30. In each instance, handle grip mount 14 would be rotated with respect to fins to that position which would enable blades 10 to position straightened fins at correct fin spacing.

For extreme cases of fin deformation, an auxiliary blade 32, having a bend at point 34, extends from opposite end 36 of mount 14. It is employed as an aid to straighten badly deformed fins by prying them approximately straight so that they can be effectively engaged by blades 10 to finally accomplish straightening.

As a further feature of the invention, collar 40 is screw mounted by cooperating threads 42 and 44, on mount 14 and collar 40, respectively. Collar 40 is rotated to move it axially and to thus vary or adjust the effective length of blades 10 extending from handle grip mount 14. It is locked at a selected position by bolt 46. In this manner, the penetration of the blades into a heat exchanger may be made sufficient for effectiveness but not so deep as to strike a fluid line 50 upon which the fins would be mounted.

What is claimed is:

l. A fin straightening tool comprising:

a handle adapted to be gripped by the hand;

a mounting base on one end of said handle; and

a plurality of relatively flat spaced blades attached to said mounting base, each of said blades having a pair of relatively flat opposite surfaces, said surfaces of the different blades lying in substantially parallel planes, and said blades being positioned in different columns and rows, wherein a column would be along a line perpendicular to said surfaces of a said blade and a row would be along a line perpendicular to a said column.

2. A heat exchanger fin straightening tool as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a curved blade mounted on the opposite end of said handle.

3. A heat exchanger fin straightening tool as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an adjustable step means mounted on said handle and being adjustably positionable in a direction to vary the effective length of said blades protruding from said tool.

4. A heat exchanger fin straightening tool as set forth in claim 3 wherein said stop means comprises a collar around a said one end of said handle, said collar being adjustably positionable in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the length of said handle and including means for adjustably locking said collar to said handle.

5. A heat exchanger fin straightening tool as set forth in claim 4 wherein said collar is screw mounted on said handle, whereby longitudinal adjustment of said collar is achieved by rotating said collar.

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1. A fin straightening tool comprising: a handle adapted to be gripped by the hand; a mounting base on one end of said handle; and a plurality of relatively flat spaced blades attached to said mounting base, each of said blades having a pair of relatively flat opposite surfaces, said surfaces of the different blades lying in substantially parallel planes, and said blades being positioned in different columns and rows, wherein a column would be along a line perpendicular to said surfaces of a said blade and a row would be along a line perpendicular to a said column.
 2. A heat exchanger fin straightening tool as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a curved blade mounted on the opposite end of said handle.
 3. A heat exchanger fin straightening tool as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an adjustable step means mounted on said handle and being adjustably positionable in a direction to vary the effective length of said blades protruding from said tool.
 4. A heat exchanger fin straightening tool as set forth in claim 3 wherein said stop means comprises a collar around a said one end of said handle, said collar being adjustably positionable in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the length of said handle and including means for adjustably locking said collar to said handle.
 5. A heat exchanger fin straightening tool as set forth in claim 4 wherein said collar is screw mounted on said handle, whereby longitudinal adjustment of said collar is achieved by rotating said collar. 